College of Agriculture & Natural Resources

• Managing spotted wing Drosophila in cherries at harvest time

  Published on July 12, 2017
  Application strategies, insecticides choices and general rules of thumb to maximize effective spotted wing Drosophila (SWD) management near harvest time.

• 

  Northwest Michigan fruit update – June 8, 2021

  Published on June 8, 2021
  This hot weather has moved along the crop, but the region could use some rain.

• Southeast Michigan fruit regional report – July 23, 2013

  Published on July 23, 2013
  Spotted wing Drosophila trap catch in sweet cherries was just confirmed this morning. Harvest is underway in blueberries, plums and apples, and winding down in summer red and black raspberries. Blackberry harvest is quickly approaching.

• 

  Tuesday night Southwest Small Fruit IPM Meetings megin April 1, 2025

  Published on March 21, 2025
  These weekly updates will be held virtually and will keep growers current on small fruit pest and disease developments throughout the season while offering an opportunity to earn RUP credits.

• 

  West central Michigan tree fruit update – May 9, 2017

  Published on May 9, 2017
  Seasonal updates and considerations following frost events on May 8-9 for the west central Michigan tree fruit industry.

• 

  A renewed interest in root pruning

  Published on May 7, 2015
  Fruit growers are showing a renewed interest in pruning roots to make canopies more compact.

• 

  Southwest Michigan fruit update – May 16, 2017

  Published on May 16, 2017
  The impact of the May 8 freeze is becoming apparent. Some crops were hit hard, other suffered little damage. Warm weather is moving plants and insects rapidly.

• 

  Northwest Michigan fruit update – May 20, 2025

  Published on May 21, 2025
  Sweet and tart cherries are in petal fall after an extremely fast bloom period with the warm weather last week. Gala are in king bloom petal fall, and Honeycrisp are at 80% bloom; pollination weather has been particularly cool for honeybee flight.

• 

  Michigan brown marmorated stink bug report for Sept. 23, 2016

  Published on September 23, 2016
  Nymph and adult trap counts continue climbing, especially in the southwest and Fruit Ridge production areas. Fruit and vegetable growers in the southern Lower Peninsula should be scouting.

• 

  Periodical cicadas are emerging: Should Michigan fruit growers be concerned?

  Published on May 24, 2021
  Brood X of the periodical cicada can soon be found throughout the Midwest including parts of southern Michigan. They may become a nuisance, but don’t expect any significant fruit crop injury.

• It’s a “Clean Sweep” of outdated, unused and unwanted pesticides

  Published on April 14, 2011
  Pesticide and mercury disposal in Michigan is safe, free and available at 18 sites throughout the state.

• 

  Southwest Michigan fruit update – May 23, 2017

  Published on May 23, 2017
  With wet conditions, post-bloom insects and diseases should concern growers.

• 

  Northwest Michigan fruit update – June 4, 2025

  Published on June 4, 2025
  Sweet cherries are at 7 millimeters. Tart cherries are coming out of the shuck. Apples are at various stages of bloom and sizing fast. Apple growers will be making thinning decisions and preparing for rain this week to protect against disease.

• 

  West central Michigan tree fruit update — July 11, 2017

  Published on July 11, 2017
  Frequent precipitation has led to concerns with powdery mildew, brown rot and cherry leaf spot.

• 

  West central Michigan tree fruit update - April 9, 2024

  Published on April 9, 2024
  Warmer weather over the past week has advanced bud development for fruit crops in the west central region. Primary scab season is underway.

• 

  Michigan spotted wing Drosophila report for Aug. 1, 2017

  Published on August 1, 2017
  Ripe and ripening fruit in susceptible crops must be protected. This is the final SWD report for the 2017 season.

• Southwest Michigan fruit regional report – July 16, 2013

  Published on July 16, 2013
  Morning ground fog continues, but soils are drying out in the southwest region.

• 

  Hands-on irrigation workshops for commercial tree fruit growers in Hart and Sparta

  Published on October 30, 2025
  After such a dry growing season, irrigation was critical for many commercial tree fruit orchards. Join MSU Extension for a hands-on, outdoor workshop to discuss challenges this year and learn how to evaluate your irrigation system.

• Southwest Michigan fruit update – July 30, 2018

  Published on July 31, 2018
  A cool dry week allows harvests to move quickly. Expect an increase in insect activity. Summer fruit harvest continues.

• Southeast Michigan fruit regional report – May 7, 2013

  Published on May 7, 2013
  What a difference a week of warm weather makes on fruit growth in our late spring season of 2013.